Tomorrow, September 10, a seminar for the EoC’s 20 years in France

EoC Seminar in Paris: An Interview with Chantal Grevin

by Antonella Ferrucci

Saturday, September 10, on the occasion of EoC’s 20 years, a seminar on “Economy of Communion: Challenges and Developments” will take place in Paris. Let us ask Chantal Grevin, the EoC project coordinator together with her husband Josè in France, a preview of how it will take place.

Chantal, why hold a seminar for its 20 years in Paris?

20 years is an important anniversary for a project such as EoC’s and must be celebrated: the idea of this seminar started several months ago from the beautiful relationship between the EoC, the Focolare Movement and the IPLH (Leon Harmel Political Institute) of Paris. And in fact, the recent signing of a partnership between the Sophia University and the IPLH will be celebrated together in this anniversary as its first fruit.

How did you organize the day?

To begin with, the day is open to all who are interested or just curious about the EoC project and would want to know more about it. The main theme is the Caritas in Veritate and what its content affirms: that the principle of gratuity and the logic of giving can and must find their place in the normal economic activity. From there the day will be structured in several stages: the first part is a presentation by us, EoC coordinators, with the contribution of testimonies of 4 EoC entrepreneurs. Followed by a round table in which Luigino Bruni, worldwide coordinator of the project, will have a dialogue with four high-level cultural, political and social representatives in France. There will be an “external point of view” from each of them on the Economy of Communion, which will open interesting new "insights" and promises to be very interesting.

Tell us about these invited persons who will "look" at EoC:

Gérard Thoris, economist and philosopher, works for consulting services for large corporations and teaches at the prestigious Institute of Science Po, which forms the French ruling class. Elena Lasida is Vice-Dean of the School of Economics and Social Sciences at the Catholic University of Paris, Director of the Masters in "Economics of Solidarity and the Market Logic," and project manager at the French Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace. Michel Coquillion is Vice-President of the CESE, (Economic, Social and Environmental Council) and vice president of the CFTC union (French Confederation of Christian Workers). Albert Alexis Galland is the representative of Christian Entrepreneurs and Managers (EDC).

And what can you tell us about the 3 workshops in the afternoon?

It will be dedicated to moments of dialogue and exchange with those who are present. Each one can choose, depending on their interests, a workshop. If the main theme for all the workshops will be: gift and communion, then it will be combined into three: the economic analysis, the practice within the corporate life, and the culture of giving. After the workshops, and before the conclusion, a final session is expected on the prospects of the future of Poverty, Development and Communion entrusted to Flaminia Giovanelli of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and Luigino Bruni.

All our best wishes go to Chantal and José Grevin for this initiative which is important for EoC’s diffusion in France.

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